As the aftermath of this battle subsided, the Central Continent gradually returned to peace in the days that followed. However, only the many Immortal Emperors knew that this was merely the calm before the storm. Once the Heavenly Mandate descended, it would unleash a tempest that would sweep across the entire universe.
The struggle for the Heavenly Mandate was not confined to the Eastern Universe; the other three great universes would also join the fray.
The Eastern Universe was primarily inhabited by humans and demons. The Western Universe was dominated by angels and vampires. The Southern Universe was ruled by the Five Elements Spirit Race, and the Northern Universe was governed by the Underworld Race and the Asura Race.
The Heavenly Mandate struggle concerned the control of the origin force. Generally speaking, beings who reached the peak of the Heavenly Dao Realm could wield a portion of the universe's origin power. This was why peak Heavenly Dao Realm experts possessed the strength to slay Immortal Emperors. However, if one were to seize the Heavenly Mandate Origin, they could command immense origin power. This realm was known as the Chaos Supreme Immortal, and the title bestowed was Chaos Immortal Emperor.
During the universe's zenith, the myriad of universal origin forces would condense into a single Heavenly Mandate Origin. Immortal Emperors qualified to contend for the Heavenly Mandate needed to have at least reached the peak of the Heavenly Dao Realm. Currently, within the entire Eastern Universe, only five individuals were eligible, and Zhang Fan was among them.
"Master, with such immense power after controlling the Heavenly Mandate, where did all those past controllers of the Heavenly Mandate go?" Nan Zun posed his question, and everyone else was equally perplexed.
Controlling the Heavenly Mandate meant one's strength was unparalleled within that universe. Since Immortal Emperors possessed eternal life, why had all the past controllers of the Heavenly Mandate vanished?
"Could it be they ascended to the legendary Immortal Realm?" Xue Mo Jiao ventured his thought.
Faced with everyone's confusion, Zhang Fan could only shake his head. Even he could not provide a definitive answer. Each time the Heavenly Mandate appeared in history, Immortal Emperors from the four great cosmic domains flocked to it. The struggle for the Heavenly Mandate often resulted in the demise of numerous Immortal Emperors. Yet, without exception, those who controlled the Heavenly Mandate would disappear within a short period. No one knew where they had gone.
This was also a significant reason why Zhang Fan was participating in this life's Heavenly Mandate struggle. This question had been buried in his heart for over a millennium, and he was determined to uncover the truth this time.
In fact, Zhang Fan harbored some conjectures about the struggle for the Heavenly Mandate. In his previous life, he had been the closest to it, but for some reason, he had been reborn. It was undoubtedly related to the Heavenly Mandate.
"With the Master's strength, this generation's Heavenly Mandate will undoubtedly belong to the Master. The mystery will be revealed then," Xue Mo Jiao roared with laughter.
Though his words were arrogant, everyone felt they were reasonable. After all, Zhang Fan, upon entering the Immortal Emperor realm, could defeat the peak Heavenly Dao Realm expert, Qingyun Immortal Emperor. If he cultivated for a few more centuries, who else in these four great universes could oppose him?
A few centuries was ample time for Zhang Fan. In the ensuing period, he spent half his time with his family, while also guiding his disciples in their cultivation.
More than two hundred years later, Hunyuan Immortal Emperor sought Zhang Fan out for a spar. Zhang Fan readily agreed. The two engaged in a battle in the silent void of space. By this time, Zhang Fan had reached the late Heavenly Dao Realm, and there was no suspense as Hunyuan Immortal Emperor was defeated.
"Alas, even with you only at the late Heavenly Dao Realm, I had no power to retaliate. I shall not participate in this Heavenly Mandate struggle," Hunyuan Immortal Emperor said with resignation. After uttering these words, he departed and continued his journey through the cosmos.
Over five hundred years later, Xuanlong Immortal Emperor and Puji Buddha Lord visited him simultaneously. However, Zhang Fan had already reached the peak Heavenly Dao Realm by then. Even with their combined forces, they could not withstand Zhang Fan's onslaught and were forced to concede defeat.
"I thought that with my Xuanlong True Body, even if I couldn't defeat the Ten Tribulations Immortal Emperor, I could at least be invincible. But this divine sword is too formidable. I can't recall how many years it's been since I was injured," Xuanlong Immortal Emperor exclaimed with emotion.
Puji Buddha's Nine-Zhang Golden Body and Xuanlong Immortal Emperor's Xuanlong True Body were the two most potent divine physiques in this cosmic domain. Even Hunyuan Immortal Emperor and Qingyun Immortal Emperor, who were at the peak Heavenly Dao Realm, could not break through them. Yet, they sustained injuries at the hands of Zhang Fan's natal divine sword.
Upon reaching the peak Heavenly Dao Realm, Zhang Fan had also refined his natal divine sword into an Immortal Emperor True Artifact. It contained Zhang Fan's perfected Extreme Dao, making it the most formidable divine weapon for combat in this universe.
"For the Heavenly Mandate struggle, our Eastern Universe has the Ten Tribulations Immortal Emperor, which is sufficient," Xuanlong Immortal Emperor and Puji Buddha Lord also declared that they would not participate in the Heavenly Mandate struggle.
Zhang Fan did not disclose the results of these two battles to the public. However, Hunyuan Immortal Emperor, Xuanlong Immortal Emperor, and Puji Buddha Lord successively announced their withdrawal from the Heavenly Mandate struggle. This led to widespread speculation that they had all been defeated by the Ten Tribulations Immortal Emperor.
After all, a few centuries prior, when Zhang Fan's strength had not yet reached its peak, he was already comparable to them. Now, after so many years, who knew how much his strength had advanced?
Therefore, from the perspective of cultivators in the Eastern Cosmic Domain, although the Heavenly Mandate struggle had not yet commenced, its outcome was already predetermined. As the time for the Heavenly Mandate's descent drew nearer, cultivators from the other three great universes traversed billions of light-years, journeying between various cosmic domains to proclaim the prestige of their respective races.
"Our Western Cosmic Domain's Lord of Great Light can dispel all darkness in the universe with a single thought. The power of light can illuminate every corner of the cosmos. This generation's Heavenly Mandate will undoubtedly belong to the Lord of Great Light," a Tribulation Crossing Immortal Venerable from the Western Cosmic Domain declared with immense pride.
"Our Five Elements Spirit Race's Sovereign Master has comprehended the Five Elements Origin. Even without the power of the Heavenly Mandate, he can wield vast amounts of Five Elements origin power. Immortal Emperors would struggle to withstand his attacks. In this current era, our Five Elements Spirit Race shall reign supreme," a member of the Southern Universe's Five Elements Spirit Race, whose body was like flames, expressed unwavering confidence in their Sovereign Master.
"Our Underworld Race's Lord of Reincarnation has cultivated the Six Paths of Reincarnation to perfection, capable of creating realms for beings to reincarnate. He once used the Dao of Karma to slay an Immortal Emperor, leaving them with nowhere to hide. His strength is unparalleled throughout history and rightfully makes him the Lord of the Heavenly Mandate," cultivators from the Northern Universe declared, unwilling to be outdone.
The other three great universes were in turmoil, with countless cultivators eagerly promoting their respective cosmic domains. In contrast, the Eastern Cosmic Domain appeared remarkably calm.
"Have you in the Eastern Cosmic Domain given up on the Heavenly Mandate struggle this generation? I heard there was a powerful expert named Qingyun Immortal Emperor in the Eastern Cosmic Domain who reached the peak Heavenly Dao Realm after tens of thousands of years of cultivation. He even integrated seven Great Daos and cultivated the Dao of Seven Heavens. He might be qualified to contend. Why is there no movement from your Eastern Cosmic Domain?" a fiery being inquired with puzzlement during an exchange with a strong cultivator from the Eastern Cosmic Domain.
"You speak of Qingyun Immortal Emperor? He likely has no chance," a Tribulation Crossing Immortal Venerable from an Immortal Sect replied with a shake of his head.
"It seems your Eastern Cosmic Domain has truly declined this generation, to the point where even your own cultivators lack confidence."
The inquirer from the Immortal Sect couldn't help but chuckle and said, "I said Qingyun Immortal Emperor has no chance not because our Eastern Cosmic Domain has declined. Not only Qingyun Immortal Emperor, but even the Immortal Emperors from your other three cosmic domains have no chance."